Important Collector's Watches, Pocket...
Geneva, Nov 11, 2007
LOT 307
Watch with 9 Complications, First Class Observatory Rating Patek Philippe, Gen?ve, No. 198336, case No. 2872513, Ref. 969. Movement made in 1929, completed and cased in 1993, sold on September 19, 2001. Extremely fine and exceptionally rare, one of only two examples, extra large, 18K gold, keyless pocket chronometer with perpetual calendar, 24-hour indication, moon phases, power-reserve indication and one-minute tourbillon regulator by James Pellaton, Guillaume balance, adjusted for observatory trial in 1945 by Hermann Heck and again in 1957 by Andre Zibach, obtaining 50.71 points, Geneva Observatory First Class Certificate obtained. Accompanied by the Certificate of Origine, the Extract from the Archives, the Bulletin d'Observatoire, leather-bound instruction booklet, and a fitted box.
CHF 350,000 - 400,000
EUR 210,000 - 240,000 / USD 300,000 - 340,000
Sold: CHF 402,500
C. Three-body, "bassine", massive, polished. Glazed gold-rimmed cover to view the movement. D. White with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary dials for the date concentric with seconds, the days of the week concentric with 24-hour indication, months concentric with leap year indication, power reserve indication, aperture for the moon phases. Blued steel spade hands. M. Cal. TO IRM Q, 22''', rhodium-plated, fausses cotes decoration, 20 jewels, stamped twice with the Seal of Geneva Quality Mark, oneminute tourbillon regulator by James Pellaton, polished steel cage with three equidistant arms, lateral lever escapement, anibal brass Guillaume balance with gold temperature and meantime adjustment screws, blued steel Breguet balance spring, index regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 63 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: |
|
Case: 2 |
Very good |
Movement: 2 |
Very good |
Dial: 1-01 |
As new HANDS Original |
Notes
Andre Zibach
Born on 30 April 1904 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, he obtained the following diplomas and certificates at the Geneva Watchmaking School: - "Echappementier" on 8 July 1920 "Repasseur" on 30 June 1921 - "Horloger-Regleur" on 30 June 1921 "Regleur" on 30 June 1922. For many years, he worked for Patek Philippe as a "Regleur" and became a very skillful craftsman in this field. Between 1950 and 1952, Andre Zibach and Eric Jaccard constructed a tonneau-shaped wristwatch movement with lever escapement, calibre 34 S, which successfully took part in the Geneva Observatory chronometer timing competitions. In 1956, Andre Zibach was appointed Technical Vice-Manager by Patek Philippe with the following major responsabilities: - Head of the Research and New Studies Laboratory -Head of the Chronometer Department - Studies of Methods, allowing an ever more accurate production. For many years, Andre Zibach proved his ability in this field and he was greatly devoted to Patek Philippe. During this period, he contributed to the improvement and to the invention of the Gyromax balance, for which he was particularly singled out, receiving a monetary prize. He also took part in the realization of many other technical devices for the firm. He left Patek Philippe in 1960, and is considered by specialists and connoissuers to be one of the most important Precision ?Regleurs? of the 20th century.
James Pellaton (1873-1954)
The Tourbillons of James Pellaton represent the best of Swiss chronometry. The basic calibre was developed by A.Pellaton Favre. He used, without exception, an Earnshaw chronometer escapement in his revolving carriages. His son James, director of the Technicum Le Locle, manufactured these Tourbillons; working with Patek Philippe on a freelance basis. Unlike his father, he favored Swiss lever escapements. He often supplied just the completed ?bauche (movement blank) and monitored the completion of the chronometer in-house, where he had his own workbench. Exceptional performances were thus obtained.
The Guillaume Balance.
For a note on Anibal brass guillaume balance, see lot 250.